Top Things To Do On Lake Travis

We’ve looked at our site analytics. We’ve found the Top 5 things to do on Lake Travis ranked by pageviews. We’ve said it before, Lake Travis is a BIG lake. It’s 63.75 miles long, has over 271 miles of shoreline. It’s also the the most commercially active reservoir in the state. It’s crystal clear blue waters, it’s proximity to Austin proper and it’s status as a non Corps of Engineers lake (allowing private lakeside property), have it number one, by a long shot, in available recreation activities and lake related businesses. While Austin locals eventually find and bookmark the “go to” spots and activities on the lake, we find may prospective visitors are almost overwhelmed by the options (and the options within options) available for fun on Lake Travis.

Here is a somewhat scientific list (based on our site’s pageview numbers) of the Top 10 Things To Do On Lake Travis.

1. Catch The Sunset At The Oasis on Lake Travis

Okay, this restaurant 450 feet above the lake has it’s own Wikipedia page and a 4 story parking garage. It’s hard to argue Beau Theriot’s “Sunset Capital of Texas” with its terraced views looking west over Lake Travis isn’t the lake’s most famous venue. The 30,000 square foot restaurant sits on a bluff 450 feet above the lake and is the largest outdoor restaurant in Texas. Built in 1982 by Houston entrepreneur Beau Theriot, who purchased a 500-acre ranch overlooking the lake and converted it into the current multi-use venue, The Oasis has been thrilling visitors near and far with amazing sunset’s over the lake for over 25 years.

The Oasis is also one of the most prolific Live Music venues on the lake with two stages of music – the massive indoor Starlight Terrace and the more intimate outdoor Beau’s Backyard both hosting shows on weekend summer nights.

The cavernous Starlight Terrace at The Oasis on Lake Travis

At dusk listen for the Sunset Bell and join in the hundreds of mobile phone selfies along with Texas’ most fantastic sunset view. The Oasis Restaurant is now flanked by a bustling community of additional restaurants and retail businesses making it even more of a must-see destination on the lake.

Restaurants and retail make up the bustling Oasis TX entertainment complex perched 450 above the waters of Lake Travis.

2. Spoil Yourself at The Lakeway Resort and Spa

Aerial view of Lake Travis’ Lakeway Resort & Spa

The city of Lakeway on the south shore of Lake Travis really began in 1962 with the construction of the Lakeway Inn, which would later grow and become the Lakeway Resort and Spa. Lakeway’s location, a one-of-a-kind setting perched on the banks of Lake Travis, is one of the reasons Austin is known for being such a livable city. Lake Travis is a veritable oasis located just a few miles west of town.

Sailing past the Lakeway Resort and Spa on the south shore of Lake Travis

The beautiful and intimate Lakeway Resort and Spa features 168 rooms, including a section of multi-bedroom townhome units overlooking the lake.

Perched on a peninsula with 270 degree views of the lake, the resort hosts a spa, fine and casual dining, four large pools, a marina and is a visitor’s home base for some of Austin’s best golf.

3. Go Flying at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Flying Over Lake Travis at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Located on the north shore of Cypress Creek Arm of Lake Travis, Lake Travis Zipline Adventures has 5 zip lines ranging from 250 feet to the longest zipline in Texas – over 2800 feet. It is the longest and fastest zipline in Texas. While waiting between each zip, you will enjoy amazing views of Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country. Your professionally trained tour guides offer education and fun throughout your challenging hikes and nature walks. For the grand finale, imagine launching off a cliff 20 stories high and zipping over 2800 feet across beautiful Lake Travis.

Loving it at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures opened for business July 2011. Developers John Shipley and Brian George are business partners and co-owners of the park, which sits on land that has been part of George’s family since the 1930s. The zipline park has quickly become one of the destination fun spots on the lake. Your Adventure includes all necessary equipment, boat transportation, water and a light trail snack. You also are entitled to access the Private Beach where you can picnic, swim, play games or simply relax in a waterside hammock.

4. Get Wet at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures

Take the challenge at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures. Photo: Will Taylor – LakeTravis.com

Waterloo Adventures is an on-the-water Lake Travis waterpark and challenge course. Located on the eastern shores at the lake, Waterloo features a 600 foot water playground offering more than 20 obstacles, including climbing walls, monkey bars, slides, hurdles, balance beams and bridges. The park is adjacent to it’s sister park Lake Travis Zipline Adventures.

You begin your adventure with a boat ride to beautiful “Adventure Island”. Once on the island, enjoy a 45 minute pulse pounding session on the 600 foot state-of-the-art challenge course. Admission includes the boat ride to Adventure Island, 45 minutes on the floating obstacle course, followed by unlimited access to Adventure Island, which has a free fall slide, springboard jumping tower and 24-foot wide trampoline. Adventure Island also offers food and beverages, including wine, beer and frozen drinks.

Working the course at Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures. Photo: Will Taylor – LakeTravis.com

5. Play Hard or Just Relax at Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark

Volente Beach Resort on the shores of Lake Travis is the perfect getaway for children and adults alike. The resort includes Beachside Billy’s lakeside restaurant, a waterpark and lodging. There are pools for kids and an adult only pool with a swim up tiki bar. The resort also boasts it’s own sandy beachfront and 3 volleyball courts.

6. Rent A Boat and Hit the Water

Morning glass in front of the Lakeway Resort and Spa on Lake Travis.

Lake Travis has over 25 boat rental venues operating on the lake. From stand-up paddleboards, kayaks & jet skis, to run-abouts, wakeboard boats, pontoons, sail boats, party barges, luxury yachts & houseboats, this Lake has it all. Certainly one of the most popular activities on the lake is taking to the water. The boat rental businesses typically offer their rentals two ways – bareboat rentals – meaning you rent the boat un-captained and are responsible driving the boat and navigating around the lake, and captained or chartered rentals – meaning a captain/driver is supplied and your job is relegated to just enjoying the day. Most of the rental companies provide an array of water toys with your rental.

Devil’s Cove is the go-to party spot on the lake where boats anchor and tie together in huge partying floating condo complexes. If solitude is more your thing the lake offers countless lesser traveled coves and anchor spots.

Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are great mornings and evenings (low traffic times) in some of the lesser trafficked coves, and upriver west of Lago Vista and Pace Bend Park where Lake Travis begins to look like Lake Austin (without the traffic).